Stretcher



May 20, 1941. LUCEY 2 ,242,311

STRETCHER Filed Aug. 15, 1939 /r A 3 247. jk 12 r L k "1, I A7119 1o 5 M UNITED STATES/PATENT OFFICE;-

STRETCHEB Daniel D. Lucey, Los Angeles, Calif. Application August 15, 1939, Serial No. 290,210

4 Claims.

My invention relates-to and has for an object the provision of an improved stretcher wherein a flexible stretcher sheet and a stretcher frame as separate units are adapted to, be quickly, con- 7 veniently and effectively attached and detached by reason of zipper fastenings related to the sheet in a particular manner to insure a reliable and secure attachment thereof as well as an easy and eflicient use of the stretcher without necessitating bodily lifting the patient.

Another object of my invention is to provide a stretcher of the character described wherein the zipper fastenings are spaced from the margins of the sheet and arranged in such manner as to be protected fromforeign matter when the sheet is laid on the ground in preparation for attaching the frame thereto, and for also protecting the zippers when the sheet is folded over and fastened to the frame, said folded over portions of the sheet then covering the zippers to thereby prevent foreign matter from clogging and interfering with operation thereof.

A further object of my invention is to provide a stretcher of the character described wherein the frame is of sectional and foldable construction in order that it may be folded into small compass and readily unfolded into position for use.

Yet another object is to provide a stretcher such as described wherein the folding frame is provided with automatic locking means at the joints for locking the frame against collapse when unfolded and in position of use, said locking means being easily manually releasable when it is desired to fold up the frame.

With the foregoing objects in view, together with such other objects and advantages as may subsequently appear, the invention is carried into effect, as illustrated by way of example in the accompanying drawing, in which:

Fig. 1 is a top plan viewof a stretcher embodying my invention;

Fig. 2 is a top plan view of the fabric body sheet or cover as it would appear when laid out preparatory to attachment to or after removal from a stretcher frame;

Fig. 3 is a cross section on the line 3-3 of Fig. 1, showing in dotted lines the relation of the margins of the fabric sheet and fastening means to the frameand ground, floor or other surface on which such sheet is spread out preparatory to attachment to or when detached from the frame;

Fig. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary longitudinal section of one of the hinge joints of the foldable frame;

Fig. 5 is a sectional view taken on the line 55 of Fig. 4;

Fig. 6 is a sectional view taken on the line 6- -6 of Fig. 5;

Fig. '7 is a fragmentary side elevation of the frame as when folded.

One form of stretcher embodying my invention generally comprises a rectangular frame A preferably of tubular construction, a body or patient supporting strip or sheet B of canvas or other suitable material, and zipper and strap fastening devices C and D, respectively located at the longitudinal and transverse marginal portions of the sheet whereby the latter may be quickly and easily attached to and removed from the frame while laid upon the ground, a floor, a bed or other supporting surface from which the patient is to be lifted or onto which the patient is to be placed.

In accordance with my invention the cooperating elements of the two zipper fastenings are spaced inwardly of the longitudinal edges of the strip or sheet B, whereby when such sheet is laid upon a; supporting surface such as the ground with said zipper elements uppermost, said elements will be protected from direct or other exposure to the ground and foreign matter which might clog and interfere with proper operation thereof. This arrangement is especially advantageous when it becomes necessary to lay the sheet upon wet or muddy surfaces or sandy or loose ground.

With reference to Figs. 2 and 3 it is seen thatwhen it is desired to use the stretcher of my invention, assuming its component parts, the frame A and strip B are disassembled, the strip is first laid upon the surface from which the patient is to be lifted, as shown in Fig. 2 and also by means of the co-planar' full and dotted lines of Fig. 3, or if necessary may be folded and manipulated in accordance with established hospital and medical practice, in preparation for lifting and carrying the patient. When the patient is properly positioned on the sheet the physician or attendant folds the marginal portions of the sheet over the longitudinal members of the frame A from position shown in dotted lines in Fig. 3 to position shown in full lines in said'figure, and then aligns the zipper elements so that said zipper devices may be fastened, in the usual manner for securing the sheet to the frame. When the strap fastenings D are included in the stretcher assembly, it being noted that these fastenings could be eliminated if desired, due to the secure fastening afforded by the zipper devices extending the full length of the sheet, said strap fastenings may be looped around the ends of the frame and snapped in place by means of the snap fastenings D thereon.

It is now apparent that the stretcher of my manner than heretofore possible, without necessitating the lifting of the patient, it being possible to roll the patient onto the stretcher. This is especially beneficial where the patient has suffered broken bones or is injured in such manner that lifting or handling other'than by prescribed rolling" might prove injurious or fatal.

It is important to note that the aforesaid spacing of the zippers provides for the covering there- 4 of when the margins of the sheet are folded over and secured in place on the frame as shown in Fig. 3 in full lines.. These folded over or overlying portions of the sheet fully protect the zippers from becoming inoperative due to the clogging" thereof by foreign matter which would otherwise fall or run into the zipper elements.

It is now apparent that the removal of the patient from the stretcher may be effected with the same dispatch and lack of bodily lifting of the patient a when rolling the patient on the stretcher.

The frame A as here shown may be of sectional and foldable form whereby when the stretcher is disassembled it may be folded into small compass. Th'us, the frame A may comprise a tubular center section 8, and tubular end sections 9 and I connected together by means of hinge joints II and 12 arranged so that the end sections 9, and It! may be folded to lie over and under the center section 8, as shown in Fig. 7..

The hinge joints are so constructed that when the sections are unfolded to a common plane or to align with one another they will automatically become locked against hinge action whereby the frame is prevented from collapse and is thereby ready for immediate use.

Each hinge joint comprises solid inserts l3 and I4 riveted in the tubular elements of the sections and formed with opposed ears l5 at their outer ends. A hinge plate or member l6 lies between and is hinged to said ears by means of hinge pins l1, and is provided with flanges 3 extending laterally for contact with the outer ends of the ears I5, to limit the hinge action to one direction.' The hinge plates l5 for the set of hinges ll may be formed so that they will break upwardly and the plates l5 for the set l2 may be formed and arranged so that the hinges will break downwardly as shown -in Fig. 7.

As a means for, locking the hinge joints I provide fdr each joint a sleeve l9 which is slidable into and out of position to telescope and lock the joint, as shown in Figs. 4, 5 6 and 7. Each sleeve I9 is normally held. in locking position by means of a spring'20 mounted in one of tubular frame members and having one end engaged with a slide 2| mounted in a slot 22 and abutting the adjacent 1 end of sleeve Ill as shown in Fig. 4. The other end of the sleeve strikes the rivet 2a which acts automatically lock the frame in position for use. With this arrangement the frame may be quickly prepared for use and will become as rigid as a solid frame due to the sleeve looks at the joints thereof. I

While I have shown and described a specific embodiment of my invention I do not limit myself to the exact details of construction set forth, and the invention embraces such changes, modifications and equivalents of'the parts and their formation and arrangement as come within the purview of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A stretcher comprising an elongated frame, an elongated flexible sheet having its longitudinal marginal portions adapted to be folded over opposite portions of said frame so as to lie upon the body of the sheet with their free edges nearer to said sides of the frame than to the longitudinal median line of the sheet, and zipper fastening devices extending substantially the full length of and secured to the sheet at points spaced inwardly of the outer edges of said folded over portions so as'to be coveredby the latter when fastened together.

' tening devices extending substantially the full as a.stop,'the rivet 24 being countersunk to permit 1 of free movement of the sleeve relative to the hinge joint.

To fold the frame the sleeves IQ of the joints II are first retracted from locking position and the end section 9 then folded over the section .8 following which the sleeves IQ for the joints I! are retracted the end section III is folded over the center section 8 as shown in Fig. 7. It should be noted that the sheet is provided with openings 25 to accommodate the hinge joints.

length of and secured to said sheet at points spaced inwardly of the outer edges of said marginal portions so pthat when the rows of devices are brought together they may be fastened to one another to independently detachably secure each of the folded over portions of the sheet to the body of the sheet, said fastening devices being covered by saidfolded over portions when fastened together as aforesaid.

. 3. A stretcher comprising a frame, a flexible sheet having side marginal portions adapted to be folded upwardly over opposite sides of the frame when the latter is laid thereon, and rows of fastening devices extending substantially the full length of and secured'res'pectively to said folded over portions-of the sheet at'points spaced inwardly of the outer edges and to the portions of the sheet lying beneath saidfolded over portions, so that when the rows of devices are brought together they may be fastened to one another to independently secure the margins of the sheet to the frame, said fastening devices being covered by said marginal portions when fastened together as aforesaid, and other fastening means at the end margins of said. sheet adapted for detachably securing the sheet to ends of the frame.

4. A stretcher comprising a substantially rectangular open frame, a flexible substantially rectangular sheet of greater width than said frame, having longitudinal marginal portions. adapted to be folded upwardly over sides of the frame, and means for independently detachably securing said folded over margins to said frame including detachable fastening devices secured respectively to said folded over marginal portions and the portions of the sheet lying under said folded over portions so that they will lie under said folded over portions in spaced inwardly relation to the free edges thereof when fastened together.

DANIEL D. LUCEY. 

